Rebirth in Action is a unique collaboration between Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH), Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy (HFTC), the City of Houston, and the renowned artist Theaster Gates. This multi-year initiative, launched in 2022, integrates artists alongside planned infrastructure upgrades to tell the story of freedom and amplify the preexisting dignity of Houston’s Freedmen’s Town.

Freedmen’s Town, a 40-block area west of downtown Houston, is the most significant intact Freedmen’s Town in America. Established in 1865 as the child of Juneteenth, Freedmen’s Town was built by newly free Black people who formed a vibrant community anchored by hand-made brick streets. Today, those same brick streets stand as a testament to the resilience and possibility of Black places. Rebirth in Action, with its core focus on the historical significance of Freedmen’s Town, aims to preserve this singular community, its agency, and heritage for future generations.

The primary project goal is to fully preserve .7 miles of Freedmen’s Town’s historic brick streets and catalyze the ongoing preservation and programming of Freedmen’s Town’s 35 remaining original structures. Rebirth in Action bridges stewardship of the Freedmen’s Town Heritage District and artists’ engagement with a legacy community who have advocated for preserving the brick streets for decades. Preserving these structures and brick streets will advance the community’s revitalization, promote heritage tourism, and celebrate its unique history and culture, ultimately securing a pathway for UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. These benefits extend beyond preservation, making the project a catalyst for mission-based and artist-driven community development and broad cultural appreciation.